A
bronze helmet crest knob for a Roman helmet. The knob starts like
most non-crested ones do, however once it begins to narrow it suddenly
widens again to three raised ridges running in parallel. The
next section consists of a cylinder type shape with a central section
removed vertically. Essentially two vertical halves of a cylinder,
with a flat top.

The indented remains of the pin hole near the very top is apparent.
This hole shows on both side, which at one time would have allowed a
securing pin to hold the crest in place, through the open slit.

A
rivet end remains at the bottom where it would have been attached to the
Iron or Bronze helmet. (and then flattened behind to secure it) A
nice smooth green Patina remains over the item, with some partial
encrustations in the slotted area.

A
uniquely shaped knob, in that many of the known examples that I am aware
of relate to the usual knobs with "worksite" type modifications to it.
Many of the known examples appear to have been cut and drilled into after
they were cast and/or already attached to the helmet. This is
evident by the layered saw marks etc.

This example clearly was cast from one mold, and appears to not have been
modified once produced. It was created solely for allowing a crest
to be attached to a helmet. Only higher ranking Roman soldier would
have been outfitted with full crests (such as the Centurion), indicating
that this was designed for that sole purpose.

Please visit Legio XX and their great page on crests
and crest holders.

Example of a crest knob of the usual style.

**NOTE**

An alternative
view held my Dr. Mike Bishop is that the item is not in fact a helmet
crest knob, but the attachment for the handle of a Roman Mirror.
Unfortunately no photographic/parallel examples have been identified and
no confirmation can be made at this time. Please advise if you can
such confirmation.